NORDTEST METHOD

NT BUILD 485

TEST FOR THERMAL AND WEATHERING PROPERTIES OF

AGGREGATES:
DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE TO FREEZING AND
THAWING WITH/WITHOUT SALT
Key words: Frost resistance test, aggregate, freeze resistance, thaw resistance,
salt water, fresh water, test method

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

Foreword

Scope

Normative references

Definitions

Principle

Apparatus

Sampling

Test specimens

Procedure

Calculation and expression of results

10 Test Report

Precision (informative)

Nordic Innovation Centre

Stensberggata 25
NO-0170 OSLO
Norway

The revision and combination of the standards NT

BUILD 485 and EN 1367-1 has led to the following
fundamental alterations:
1. The samples are tested in either pure de-ionised
water or 1% solution of NaCl in de-ionised water.
The same requirements in the product standards
do not apply.
2. The thawing out sequence is controlled either by air
circulation or water circulation in the cabinet to
obtain the correct temperature of the reference
sample.
The frost resistance of the aggregate is determined by
subjecting it to the cyclic action of freezing and
thawing. The freeze-thaw resistance of aggregate, as
measured by the proportion of undersize passing the
size sieve as sieved from the test portion, is
considered separately for each portion and then
expressed as a mean % by mass.

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ISSN: 14592762
Project: 04014 (1624-03)

NT BUILD 485
Edition 2
Approved 2004-11

1(6)

NORDTEST METHOD

SCOPE

This European Standard specifies a test method to assess

the frost resistance of aggregates when it is subjected to the
cyclic action of freezing and thawing. In areas where
frequent freeze-thaw cycling occurs and seawater sprays or
de-icers are abundant it is more apropriate to use a 1%
solution of NaCl in de-ionised water instead of pure deionised water.
The test is applicable to aggregates having a particle size
between 4 mm and 63 mm.

NORMATIVE REFERENCES

This European Standard incorporates by dated or by

undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate
places in the text and the publications are listed hereafter.
For dated references, subsequent amendments to or
revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or
revision. For undated references, the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies.
EN 932-1

Tests for general properties of aggregates. Part

1: Methods for sampling.

EN 932-2 Tests for general properties of aggregates.

Part 2: Methods for reducing laboratory
samples.
EN 932-5

Tests for general properties of aggregates. Part

5: Common equipment and calibration.

EN 933-2

Tests for geometrical properties of aggregates.

Part 2: Determination of particle size distribution
Test sieves, nominal size of apertures.

EN 1097-2 Tests for mechanical and physical properties of

aggregates. Part 2: Methods for the determination of the resistance to fragmentation.

NT BUILD 485

NOTE: In many cases constant mass can be achieved after a

test portion has been dried for a pre-determined period in a
specified oven at (110 5) C. Test laboratories can
determine the time required to achieve constant mass for
specific types and sizes of samples dependent upon the
drying capacity of the oven used.

PRINCIPLE

Test portions of single sized aggregates, having been

soaked in pure water or 1% NaCl solution at atmospheric
pressure for 24 h, are subjected to 10 freeze-thaw cycles.
This involves cooling to 17,5 C under water or in the salt
solution and then thawing to 20 C.

APPARATUS

5.1

All apparatus, unless otherwise stated, shall

conform to the general requirements of EN 932-5.

5.2

ventilated drying oven, with forced circulation of

adequate capacity. The oven shall be capable of being
controlled at (110 5) C.

5.3

balance, with an accuracy of 0,1 g, of adequate

capacity.

5.4
low temperature cabinet, (upright or chest) with
air circulation. The cabinet shall be automatically controlled
to adhere to the temperature curve shown in Figure 1. The
sample temperature in the thawing out phase can be
controlled either by air circulation or immersion of sample
cans in a 20C water bath. A manual method of control may
be used, provided the correct cooling curve, as shown in
Figure 1, is adhered to. In the case of a dispute, the
automatic control shall be used.
5.5

DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this standard the following definitions

apply.

3.1

Test specimen

Sample used in a single determination when a test method

requires more than one determination of a property.

3.2

Laboratory sample

Reduced sample derived from a bulk sample for laboratory

testing.

3.3

cans, made from seamless drawn or welded

corrosion-resistant sheet metal, with a thickness of about
0,6 mm, having a nominal capacity of 2000 mL, an internal
diameter of 120 mm to 140 mm, and an internal height of
170 mm to 220 mm are suitable. Cans shall be covered by
suitable lids.
For lightweight aggregates (LWA), cans shall be suitably
ballasted.

5.6

test sieves, conforming to EN 932-1.

5.7

Pure de-ionised water or 1% NaCl solution,

made by mixing 20,0 g of NaCl of analytical grade in deionised water and making up to a volume of 2 litres. If this
is insufficient, prepare additional solution at the same
concentration.

Constant mass

Successive weighings after drying at least 1 h apart not

differing by more than 0,1%

SAMPLING

Sampling shall be carried out in accordance with EN 932-1.

NORDTEST METHOD

NT BUILD 485

TEST SPECIMENS

7.1

General

the water or solution covering the test portions by at least 10

mm for the full 24 h period of soaking.

Three individual test specimens shall be used. The test

specimens shall be obtained in accordance with EN 932-2
by sample reduction from production single sized
aggregates from which oversized and undersized
aggregates have been removed.
NOTE: If it is intended to carry out a strength test after the
freeze-thaw cyclic loading, this test should be performed on
an appropriate grading sieved out from the laboratory
sample, in accordance with EN 1097-6.
In order to do this, a laboratory sample should be taken of
twice the mass required for the strength test, plus an
allowance for waste. This laboratory sample should then be
split into two approximately equal parts. The first part should
be used for the strength and density tests, without being
subjected to the freeze thaw cycling, and the second part
should be subjected to the freeze-thaw cyclic test.

7.2

Size of test specimens

8.2

Exposure to freezing under water or NaCl

solution

Check that the water or salt solution level in each can is still
at least 10 mm above the top of the test portion and place
the lids on the cans. Place the covered cans containing the
test portions in the cabinet, ensuring that the heat is
extracted from them as uniformly as possible from all sides.
The distance between adjacent cans and the sidewalls of
the cabinet shall be not less than 50 mm and the cans shall
not be touching.
The samples in the cabinet shall then be subjected to a
series of 10 freeze-thaw cycles as follows:
a) the temperature at the centre of a can, filled with
aggregate and water or NaCl solution as specified in 8.2
and situated in the centre of the cooled area, shall be the
reference measuring point of temperature.

The preferred size fraction shall be within the range 8 mm to

16 mm, but if required, any of the sizes listed inTable 1 can
be used. The quantities for each of the three individual test
specimens are given in Table 1, and deviations of 5% are
permissible.

b) the cabinet shall be controlled so that the temperature

follows a cooling curve inside the limits as shown in
Figure 1;

Table 1. Test specimens required for the freeze-thaw cyclic

test.

d) the temperature shall then be reduced from (0 to 1) C

to (17,5 2,5) C in (180 30) min;

Aggregate
size
mm

Mass or volume of aggregate required

Normal aggregate
g

48
816
1632
3263
1)

Lightweight aggregate
(bulk volume)
ml

1000
2000
40001)
60001)

500
1000
1500

Additional cans will be necessary

c) the temperature shall fall from (20 3) C to (0 to 1) C

in (150 30) minutes, and shall then remain at (0 to
1) C for (210 30) min;

e) the temperature shall then be held at (17,5 2,5) for a

minimum of 240 min;
f) at no stage shall the sample temperature fall below
22 C;
g) after the completion of each freezing cycle the cans shall
be thawed to (20 3) C;
h) after the completion of each thawing phase the cans
may be held at (20 3) C for a maximum of 10 h. Each
freeze-thaw cycle shall be completed within 24 h.
i)

7.3

Preparation of test specimens

The test specimens shall be washed and adherent particles

removed. They shall be dried to constant mass at (110 5)
C, allowed to cool to ambient temperature and weighed
immediately (M1).

25
20

For lightweight aggregates, dry to constant mass.

Aggregates up to 16 mm size, to 0,2 g;

Aggregates above 16 mm size, to 0,5 g.

15

Temperature, C

Weighing shall be carried out to the following accuracies:

if it is necessary to interrupt the test during the freezing

cycle or when under manual control the cans shall
remain in the cabinet at (17,5 2,5) C. A total
interruption of up to 72 h is permitted.

10
5
0
-5
-1 0
-1 5

PROCEDURE

8.1

Soaking

The test specimens prepared in accordance with 7.3 shall

be stored at atmospheric pressure for (24 1) h in the cans
specified in 5.5 at (20 3) C, in water or 1% NaCl solution,

-2 0
-2 5
0

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

T im e , h o u r s

Figure 1. Temperature curve with tolerance limits in the

centre of the filled can (reference measuring point) located
in the middle of the cabinet.

NORDTEST METHOD

NT BUILD 485

8.3
On completion of the tenth cycle, empty each can
into a suitable container, and wash thoroughly by hand with
water. Dry each test specimen to constant mass and sieve
on a test sieve having an aperture size that is half the lower
size sieve used to prepare the test portion (e.g. of 4 mm
aperture size when testing 816 mm sample). Cool the
sample to ambient temperature and weigh immediately (M2).

10.1 Sampling method if known, and marking, type and

origin of the laboratory samples.

10.2 Shape, size, grading and number of laboratory

samples.

CALCULATION AND EXPRESSION OF

RESULTS

9.1

Calculate the undersize of the three test specimens,

weigh and express the mass obtained as a percentage of
the mass of the individual and the combined test specimens.

9.2

Calculate the result of the freeze-thaw test (F) in

accordance with the following equation:

10

TEST REPORT

The test report shall refer to this Standard and contain the
following information:

10.3 Visual observations of the aggregate retained on the

specified sieve. Any unusual disintegration of the aggregate
retained on the sieve shall be reported.
10.4

Result of the freeze-thaw test, F expressed to the

nearest 0,1% by mass and a clear statement on whether the
testing was performed in pure water or 1% NaCl solution.

F = [(M1 M2)/M1]X100
where
M1 is the initial dry mass of the three test specimens before
cycling, in grams;
M2 is the final dry mass of the three test specimens after
cycling, that is retained on the specified sieve, in grams;
F is the percentage loss in mass of the three test
specimens after freeze-thaw cycling.
NOTE: A statement on the precision of this test is given in the
Appendix.

10.5

Date of report and name of test laboratory.

NORDTEST METHOD

NT BUILD 485
APPENDIX

APPENDIX: PRECISION (informative)

The precision data below is the result of the Nordtest project
NT 1624-03, Frost resistance test on aggregates with and
without salt (FRAS).
The repeatability standard deviation for the pure water
method:
sr = 0,167X + 0,007
The reproducibility standard deviation for the pure water
method:
sR = 0,580X + 0,070
The repeatability standard deviation for the salt-water
method:
sr = 0,048X + 0,215
The reproducibility standard deviation for the salt-water
method:
SR = 0,676X + 0,674
The results were interpreted in accordance with ISO 572594. Precision of test methods Determination of repeatability and reproducibility for a standard test method by interlaboratory tests.

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